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“I had my legal team and my chief contractor complete this form and then I, personally, reviewed it just to make sure the ‘I’s were dotted and the ‘T’s were crossed.”
She hummed again. “And yet it's still wrong. We can't permit this until another inspection has taken place, and the county has signed off on the build.”
My heart damn near stopped. “Explain that to me again.”
She folded her hands. “It's a step-by-step process and needs to go in order. You couldn't have filled this out correctly…” She proceeded to explain in lots of jargon why things hadn't gone through. I followed about half of what she was saying and frankly I wanted to question the authenticity of her words but without the backup of Parvati or my legal team, I didn't want to push too hard. Not yet at least.
Still, I pushed a little. “Can you or someone from your team help us fix it?”
“Sure,” she said through a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
“Great. Let me relay this back to my team and I'll reach out again.”
She nodded, then stood.
Class dismissed.
* * *
“Damn. I knew I should have gone with you.” Those were the first words out of Parvati’s mouth when I dialed her the second I left the county offices with my giant laptop-size purse on my shoulder.
Darnell awaited me around the corner with an iced coffee in hand.
I thanked him. “You're the best.”
He saluted before closing the door behind me once I was safely stowed in the backseat, holding my phone to my ear like a pleb because I hated those little wireless earbuds.
I relayed as much as I could, grateful I’d pulled out my phone to take notes during the brief conversation. “I'm sending my scribbles to you right now.”
“Perfect. Once me and the team review them, I'll circle back with you.” I heard Parvati typing away on her side of the line. “Talk soon.”
The efficient woman hung up the phone, and I tilted my head back and closed my eyes as I replayed the interaction in my head. What I had done wrong, what I would do differently in the future.
Part of me even was tempted to follow up with Carter.
Then I thought better of it. I didn't need him fighting my battles for me. Besides, I doubted it would earn me the goodwill I needed to get this permit in place.
Rather than make my next call, I tested some of the meditation practices I’d seen on TikTok. I tried a few different breathing techniques and then imagined the sun was shining on me. That was harder to do given the threat of rain outside.
I lasted longer than other previous attempts and took the win.
Then my phone rang, and I jumped at the distraction, especially since I recognized the ringtone.
“Hey, bestie,” I answered.
Faith chuckled. “Hello, back atcha. I'm shocked you answered the phone.”
“I always answer the phone for you.”
“But during working hours?” Faith countered.
Like that made a difference. “All hours are working hours.”
“Is that what your doctor would want?”
I groaned. “Not you too. I'm getting this daily from Beck.”
“We're just worried about you.”